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Post-study workers

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This section explains how you can come to the United Kingdom or remain here as a post-study worker (Tier 1 Post-study work) under our points-based system to work in the United Kingdom.

On this page:

  • What is the post-study worker category?
  • Who can apply as a post-study worker?

What is the post-study worker category?

The post-study worker category allows us to retain the most able international graduates who have studied in the United Kingdom. It also enhances the United Kingdom's overall offer to international students.

Post-study workers are free to look for work without having a sponsor for the length of their leave.

The category provides a bridge to highly skilled or skilled work. If you are granted permission to stay as a post-study worker, we expect that you will switch into another tier of the points-based system as soon as you are able to.

Who can apply as a post-study worker?

You can apply under the post-study worker category now if you are:

  • in the United Kingdom with permission to stay under the Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme (SEGS), International Graduates Scheme (IGS) or Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme (FT:WISS); or
  • in the United Kingdom as a student, which includes students, student nurses, students resitting examiniations,and students writing up a thesis, and want to switch into the post-study worker category.

Go to our visa services website, which you can find on the right of this page, if you are applying from outside the United Kingdom. There you can find out more about the process in the country you are applying from and download the application forms

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